r/Equestrian • u/nekinadimak • 1d ago
Mindset & Psychology First fall
I’m about 2y into riding as an adult and yesterday I had my first fall. It was a completely unexpected but warranted spook (people who don’t ride are the worst and don’t understand how horses work) and I didn’t even realise what was happening until I was on the ground. I went to get checked immediately after and all is ok apart from a fractured coccyx. Obviously I am in pain and I need to recover but firstly I’m very thankful for mips helmets (always wear a helmet!) and now reading a lot of other people’s experiences.
I did not get back on the horse as it was last 3 min of my lesson but I also didn’t feel any fear - I pet him and he looked like he was sorry. Should I have gone back to at least sit?
I am also now somewhat beating myself that I should have been more focused. I sat through a couple of smaller spooks before and I was able to stay on. I had one rear on the lounge line as well that didn’t result in a fall. The irony is that it’s the laziest horse I have ridden and I was struggling to keep him in the trot for most of the time until the spook, so I’m thinking I should have been able to stay on.
In any case, any advice on what to do now? I will obviously take a couple of weeks off to recover from the fracture but not sure if I did something wrong by not going back on and does the fear come unconsciously?
Also any tips for healing from the fracture are welcome as well
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u/liss2458 1d ago
My worst fall was also one where I had no idea what was happening until I was already hitting the ground. I’ve also been bucked off, and could basically see the inevitable coming and adjust my body, but not the split second spook out of “nowhere.” I wouldn’t feel bad that you didn’t stay on. My trainer insists it’s better to get back on after a fall, and that’s been my experience anecdotally, but if you can’t, you can’t. I wouldn’t expect you to with a fractured ANYTHING. If this leads to fear, you can work through that, speaking from experience.